One of the great things about FiftyNorth, our members say, is the opportunity to do rewarding things with people who share the same interests. There are plenty of opportunities to do that here, from weekly games of bridge, cribbage, and euchre and spirited but friendly games of softball, table tennis, and water volleyball to choir and band rehearsals and discussions of books, history, and photographic techniques. 

Take your pick. Heck, pick as many as you want. There are literally dozens to choose from. For a schedule of upcoming group activities at FiftyNorth, click here.

AQUA FITNESS

Open Swim
Monday - Saturday, see schedule here.
Cost: $8 nonmember, $5 member, $0 fitness basic and fitness plus
Members may exercise or swim in our warm water pool when it is not being used for classes.  Volunteer monitors are usually available, but swimmers swim at their own risk. Lap swimming, water exercising, and some water exercising equipment available. Any personal equipment must be approved by the Fitness Manager. Swimmers are expected to be ready to exit the building by closing time. ADA compliant lift available. Bring your own attendant if needed.

Family Time Swim
Saturdays, 12-2pm
Cost: $8 nonmember, $5 member, $0 fitness basic/plus
FiftyNorth members can enjoy family fun and exercise with their children and grandchildren! The warm water pool provides a great environment for playing with children. Grandparents or parents are responsible for their children at all times and must accompany their children/grandchildren in the pool. Children must be at least 3 years old and toilet trained (no swimmie pants).

Water Volleyball Aqua Group
Mondays, Fridays, 4-5:45pm
Cost: $8 nonmember, $5 member, $0 fitness basic/plus  / Aqua Group fees apply?
For fun and fitness, NOT a competitive league! No experience required. Achieve your fitness goals while playing a game. Think of it as low impact aerobic exercise or just pure entertainment. The activity is volunteer-led.

LAND FITNESS

FiftyNorth Softball Team
Thursdays, 10-12pm
Cost: ?
Step up to the plate and rediscover the thrill of the game! Joining the FiftyNorth softball league is more than just a chance to play—it's an opportunity to stay active, build friendships, and enjoy the camaraderie that only sports can bring. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the diamond, our league welcomes all skill levels. Imagine the crack of the bat, the cheers from teammates, and the satisfaction of a great play—all while getting fresh air and staying in shape. No tryouts are held; everyone is welcome! Just bring yourself and your glove (and a favorite bat, if you like). Practices are held at the Dundas Dome until June when weather allows us to gather at Sechler Park for competition with area teams.

Nordic Walking Group
Thursdays, 5-5:45pm
Prerequisite: Nordic Walking 101 or similar class
Cost: Fitness Group fees apply
Nordic walking is a low-impact exercise that uses specially designed poles to propel the body forward while walking. It's a full-body workout, offering benefits like increased calorie burn, improved strength, and enhanced balance. Join us Thursdays to enjoy conversation, laughter, and tips to improve your technique. We have a limited supply of walking poles. Please bring your own if you have them.

Northfield Pedalers and Walkers
Mondays and Wednesdays (Mondays in town / Wednesdays out of town), 9-noon
Costs: $20 annual fee, paid to FiftyNorth; $24 yearly trail pass, payable to Cannon Valley Trail
The Pedalers Group is a fun and energetic group that does in-town rides and out-of-town rides. Each ride will have a leader to follow. Please make sure to wear a helmet, bring a water bottle, dress suitably for the weather, communicate with the group while on the ride, and bring identification cards.

Outdoor Walking Group
Mondays, 9-10am
Cost: Free
Experience the outdoors while increasing your strength. Enjoy a walk in the woods in the company of others. We meet at the entrance to Carleton’s lower Arb, in the parking lot off Highway 19 just beyond the football stadium. The path is quite flat and provides beauty without too much challenge. If the trails are muddy or just for a change of pace, we can also use the upper Arb. Things to bring/wear: sturdy walking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug/tick spray, and water. Optional: hat, walking poles. Dress in layers or have them available in your car. Minnesota spring weather continues to be unpredictable!

Table Tennis
For the schedule, click here.
Cost: Fitness Group fees apply for members; nonmembers, $8 per session
The FiftyNorth-sponsored Ping Pong group is open to members as well as others in the community. You can play on Mondays (1:30 and 5:30pm), on Tuesdays and Thursdays (at 1:30pm), and on Saturdays (10:30am). Opportunities for all levels of play abound. Beginning or recreational players are as welcome as those who are interested in advancing their skills to enjoy a sport that is growing in popularity across the country. Learn to play, practice and have fun! 

CARDS & GAMES

American Mahjongg
Fridays, 1-3pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
Mahjongg is a game in which players collect combinations of tiles in order to create a winning hand. All levels of players are welcome! Lessons provided if needed. If you have a game set and/or current card, it is suggested but not required that you bring it with you.

Bingo
3rd Monday of every month, 1-2pm
Cost: $1?
Join us for a fun-filled hour of various Bingo games including postage stamp, four corners, etc... with a guest host Bingo caller. Sponsored by Elysian Senior Homes.

Board Games & Games Group
Wednesdays, 5-6pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
Drop in for a fun-filled hour of puzzles and board games that stimulate the mind, improve focus, and are definitely enjoyable! There will be a variety of activities available, such as Boggle, Jenga, Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles, and even Rubik’s cubes. Feel free to bring your own favorites or try out something new.

Chat Bridge
Wednesdays, 9:30-12pm
Cost: ?
All bridge players welcome.

Cribbage
Thursdays, 12:45- 4pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
Cribbage is a card game, traditionally for two players, that involves playing and grouping cards in combinations which gain points that are tallied on the cribbage board used for score-keeping. [Definition from Wikipedia]

Double Deck Pinochle
Mondays, 12:15-4pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
Pinochle is a bidding, melding, and trick-taking game played with a partner using 80 cards (A-10-K-Q-J). Call our group leaders on Monday morning to sign-up: Sharon Steinhouse or Phil Winter.

Duplicate Bridge
Tuesdays, 12:30-4pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
Identical hands are played at each table. All bridge players welcome. Sign in 15 minutes before game. Bring your own partner. See also Sanctioned Duplicate Bridge.

Euchre
Tuesdays, 12:30-4pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
Euchre is a trick-taking card game where each of four players is dealt five cards and the player making trump must take three tricks to win the hand. Sign in 30 minutes prior to start time to reserve your seat. No partner necessary. Instruction available upon request.

500
Fridays, 12:30-4pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
500 is a bidding and trick-taking card game using a 45-card deck, trumping with bowers and the joker as high trump. Bring an additional $1 for kitty. Sign in 30 minutes prior to start time to reserve your seat. No partner necessary. Instruction available upon request. 

Sanctioned Duplicate Bridge
Thursdays,12:30-4pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
All bridge players welcome. Sign in 15 minutes before game. Bring your own partner. See also Duplicate Bridge.

Social Bridge
Wednesdays, 12:30-4pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
Party (rubber) bridge. Intermediate level. Sign up 30 minutes prior to reserve a seat. Bring nickels and pennies for kitty. No partner necessary.

ARTS, CRAFTS, BOOKS, & MORE

Art Club
Second and Fourth Wednesdays of the month,1:30-3:30pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
All are welcome to drop-in for Art Club. On the second Wednesday of the month, VideoWednesday, we explore virtual art museum collections, learn about artists, art techniques, skills, tips, and more. Please bring a smallish personal journal to record, write, or draw in during the video. On the fourth Wednesday of the month, WorkWednesday, you will work on art of your choice or work on the “video” presentation or write about the museum visit. You should bring your dedicated journal and a pen or pencil; we will provide other needed supplies.

Book Club
Second Friday of the month, 10:30-noon
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
The Book Club meets the second Friday of every month. It is open to all. Simply read the monthly book prior to the meeting, then come and discuss it at the Book Club gathering at the center. Book titles are selected by consensus of the group; the genre changes each month. To find what our current selection is, click ???

Caregiver Support Group
One Thursday a month, 1:30-3:30pm. For this month’s schedule, click here.
Pre-registration required. Capacity: 20
Cost: Free
Learn, share, listen, laugh, and gain strength and understanding alongside other care partners. Kathy Voss, Caregiver Support Specialist, facilitates the discussion.

Grief Support Group
August 12, 2025 - (Register by Friday, August 8)
September 9, 2025 - (Register by Friday,  September 5)
October 14, 2025 - (Register by Friday, October 10)
Presented by: Three Rivers Community Action and Minnesota Hospice
Capacity: 20
Cost: Free
Join with others in a safe, confidential, and supportive environment for afternoon coffee and an opportunity to make connections, share personal stories and coping strategies with others experiencing grief.  This is a 3-month, limited-time support group. You may choose to attend one, two, or all three sessions! 

History Group
Fridays, 10:30-noon
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
Assorted history topics

Hook, Yarn & Needle
Tuesdays, 1-3pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
If you use one of these tools to craft, you qualify. Bring your own project to work on in the company of other crafters. Learn from each other.

Knitting Group
Fridays, 10am-noon
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
Bring your own project to work on in the company of other knitters. Learn from each other.

Photography Group
Fourth Friday of the month, 9:30-11:30am
Cost: $
Each session starts with a brief educational presentation related to photography. The remaining time is spent reviewing individuals' photos, answering questions, and providing help with cameras and equipment. Please bring pictures on a USB flash drive for "show and tell." Prints are acceptable. If you have camera questions, please bring your camera, batteries, memory card, and manual. This is not a formal class or club, just an opportunity to share your interest in photography with others.

Rock Talk?

Storytelling Group?
Second Monday of the Month, 9:30-11:30am
Cost: $1 group fees apply.
A new adventure to explore... READ  listen... laugh and maybe recall stories from the past!.. Come...listen...and share if and when you desire....

MUSIC GROUPS

Chime Choir
Thursdays, 9:30-10:45am
Cost: ???
The Chime Choir meets every Thursday from September through May. Under the direction of Marilyn Finneseth, the choir makes beautiful music with three octaves of chime notes. Each member of the choir usually plays two chime notes. By counting the rhythms and then playing notes at the appropriate time, those individual notes are magically turned into soothing and inspiring songs. If you have ever played a musical instrument or would like to learn, come try it out. Chimes are provided.

Eclectic Strummers & Singers
First and Third Wednesdays of the month, 1-3pm
Cost: Group fees apply ($1)
If you want to have fun and make music with others and have a ukulele or bass or guitar or fiddle or harmonica or kazoo, come join us.  No reservations required. 

FiftyNorth Band
Mondays, 4-5pm
Cost: $?
This group welcomes members of every ability to play woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments. Members provide their own instruments.

Seasoned Singers (Women)
Tuesdays, 4-5:30pm
Cost: $?
Description?

The Troubadours (Men)
Tuesdays, 10-11:30am
Cost: $?
Description?

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